rocketman

Last time I removed my tank I fussed with the "push this and pull that method" and it didn't seem to work. Finally, all I did was pull on the grey collar straight away and it came right off. Once the grey collar releases just keep pulling and the hose comes off. You don't have to pull hard. It's easier that it looks. And those tricksy Italians thought they could out-fox us Americans. Rocketman

I agree twin headlights would be a great improvement. But, I would hate to loose that lovely stock fairing. I think it completes the look of the Lemans. Rocketman

Looks good Windchill. Hmmm...Looks just like mine. May I say, you have good taste in motorcycles, red and black LeMans. Looks like you need to take it out and get it dirty. Rocketman

Bigbikerrick, Does that include windshields for the LeMans too? I hope so. I'd like to try a shorter one. Rocketman

John, I have often wondered the same thing. My original Lemans screen was cracking at the screw holes and was replaced via warrantee. Unfortunately MG wanted the bad one back so I never got to try shortening it. I want cleaner air too. Please let me know how it works if you get a chance to try it. Rocketman

Trispeed, It seems to me that Ratchethack has done alot of trial and error learning. He speaks highly of progressive rate springs. I would be willing to give those a try eventually. Springs and fork oil weight and oil levels are your cheapest options. What settings are you happiest with so far. I have my preload at 4 or 5 turns, clockwise (from closed). And zero rebound. I am going to play with the rebound setting some more now that I now what it does. If I remember right the more rebound the harsher the ride. I will try a little bit rather that alot. Maybe 1 to 3 turns. Rocketman

Mdude, Look carefully at the connector tubes. There is a right (D)and there is a left (S). Until I got that sorted out I had trouble. Also, the instructions make mention of how to align the bands on the can. They say you need to line up the band (where the two ends meet) with the rivets to the inside of the pipe. I wasn't careful enough and now I have a tiny dent in my right can. Hardly noticable but it still bumbed me out. You have to make up some kind of spacer to swing the cans wider at the mounting point or they point in too much at the back. I used the rubber gromlet from the oem hangers and 3 washers (kinda cheezy but it works). Rocketman

Trispeed, My bad, you are correct. It's rebound (So that's what the "R" stands for. I have been self deceived all this time. Now I can play with the adjustment and expect different results. Should of looked at the book before I opened my big mouth. Rocketman

Bigbikerrick, My bike is an 04 and the specs say it holds 5.5 gallons. If that's true for you too, you had 2.9 gallons left in the tank when you filled up. You should get close to 200 miles per tank. Don't you love that feeling at those speeds. Hard to stay away from 80, 100, or 120 even. I get bored at 60 or 70. Gotta watch for the MAN. Rocketman

Trispeed, Pardon me Sir, but I need to correct you. It is my understanding the 04 Marz units have both preload adjustment and compression damping. They do not have rebound damping. I too have an 04 bike (LeMans) with the 43mm Marz's and am surprised by these findings. Was also wondering if these issues were just with the older bikes. I am actually fairly happy with my suspension but have never riden an Ohlins suspended Guzzi. Maybe I don't know what I am missing. If I were to make a change the $1000 upgrade is much cheeper than replacing with the ohlins units. But, I'm not convinced yet that it would be all that much better. TXRider, what year is your bike? Do you know if Traxxion Dynamics' assessment holds true for the 03 - 04 bikes as well? Rocketman

Thanks Rachethack. The picture and graph paper view helps. But, it looks like the graduated curve may still be hard to duplicate. Could you make a template? Trace the shape onto a piece of thick paper and mail it to me please. That way I would be sure to get it exact the first time. Rocketman

Go to www.thetankslapper.com they have a kit for your lemans. Also, I have asked them to make one for the tank bag. They said they would work on it. Rocketman

Go to the throttlmeister web page and read all about em. I actually purchased mine from I-bike.com. They were a little cheaper. I think I paid $139.00 shipped. You will appreciate the cruise control. They come in 2 flavors 12oz. and 14oz. Make sure you get the heavy ones. Rocketman

Have you considered throttlemeister heavy bar end weights (with cruise control)? I put them on mine and now the vibes are bearable. No more numb fingers or hands. Rocketman

Bigbikerrick, I'm sure it does. Haven't taken a passenger since I mounted them. Really, I don't think there is a whole lot of difference (both look terrible uncomfortable). I just couldn't get em to work at all the other way. Maybe I wasn't patient enough. Too jazzed about getting them on so I could here them. Might have to get a second bike for the two up thing. Do you have the ti cans? How comfortable is your passenger? Rocketman

Here are the pictures showing how I mounted my mg ti cans. Rocketman

Ratchehack, I sure would like to have one of your progressive 1/3 throttle cams. Are you making them? Or, does someone manufacture them? Rocketman

I had trouble mounting my mg ti cans. When I put the hangers on in the direction I thought they should go, hangers pointing forward, nothing fit right. The crossover was too long, the cans wouldn't clear the rear foot pegs worth a crap, and the oval band was way forward on the cans. So I pointed the hangers toward the back. This is done by how you mount that stupid triangular adapter (Really disappoint with the hangers, the stock ones are much nicer). This way the oval bands are futher back on the cans (little more than 1/3 of the way up the can). Also had to add 3/4 to 1 inch spacer to clear the rear foot pegs. I used the rubber inserts from the original hangers and three washers. The instuctions that ship with the cans are poor. I have pictures but I can't figure out how to post them. Rocketman

I have the MG Ti kit and I wish they were a little louder. I would love to get my hands on a set of those reverse cone megaphones from mistral. Does anyone know any more about them? Are they one or two pieces? Can't really tell from the photos Paul Minnaert posted. Is it true that the stucci crossover adds considerable loudness?. If so, I may consider adding the crossover. Rocketman

I would follow the break in guidelines in the owners manual. Your new guzzi will be tight for at least 5000 miles. Best not to push it too hard too fast. A good rule of thumb is to accelerate and decelerate at various rpms but don't exceed the rpm/mileage limitations of the break in period. If you do it right you will get thousands of miles of reliable service from your bike. Do a search and read all the opinions on this important topic. Have you done the first oil change? Yea, go to the track and have fun but don't let "racer boy" get carried away. Rocketman

It's a II. I'm a coward. Rocketman

Just say no. Thanks Callison! I appreciate everyone's input. I am not going to buy the bike. Too much time and effort. If anyone is interested let me know and I will give you the lady's phone number. It's in Salem Ore. Rocketman

Stopped by and had a closer look at the $300.00 v50. It is a v50 11. Don't really know the difference. I guess it's newer than a v50. I bounced up and down on it. Suspension is iffy (duh). Fork seals are leaking. Was able to work it through 1st, 2nd, and I think I got it into 3rd. Clutch and throttle appear to work. Linked brakes, the rear brake pedal actually activates the stoppers. Front brake lever didn't do anything. Tires look they were replaced before it was parked. Rubber bits are shot. Side covers are broke. Engine oil hose underneath is broke so it has lost almost all the engine oil. Looks like it has never been crashed. Handle bars, levers, and rear turn signals are not bent. Pretty cool actually. I told her I had to chew on it some more. I am leaning toward buying it. Rocketman

Thanks for all the feedback you guys. I will go back and have another look at the bike. If I do buy it I hope it is a simple matter of new battery, clean carbs and ride. I hope it's not steering head bearings, final drive repair, transmission repair, fork seals, brakes, suspension, etc., and then ride. If it gets too extensive I will just sell it as is. I know I can at least get it running. Won't really know the whole story until I can ride it. Rocketman

Fellow Moto Guzzi enthusiests I need some advice. Out of the blue a local woman calls me and she has a 1980 v50 she wants to sell me for $300.00. Not being that familiar with the model I jump online and do a little research. My first thought is, too bad it's not a Monza, but it's not bad looking. So I go have a look see. The bike has 47,000 miles. It's all there except the front headlight (relaced by big windjammer fairing). Not too beat up but lots of corosion. Newer bub pipes and tires. She has all the service/repair receipts, and service manual, from the previous owner. Frame has alot of rust. Doesn't run. Apparently it has been stored inside. Should I bother with it? Originally I was thinking it might make a good hack. Save some wear and tear on the Lemans. It could also be a black hole for money. Maybe it's worth buying and parting out. Don't know if I should even drag it home. What do you guys think? Rocketman